UCSB Captures 3-0 Sweep Over Cal State Fullerton

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -
The UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team came back from a 10-point deficit in game three to secure a 30-25, 30-20, 30-27, win over Big West opponent Cal State Fullerton at home in the Thunderdome on Friday evening. Senior Olivia Waldowski helped steer the Gauchos to victory as she hit .700 on the night and tied her career-record of five service aces.

With the win, the Gaucho record is lifted to 9-7 overall and 2-2 in the Big West while the Titans drop to 13-5 on the season and 2-2 in conference matches. The Gauchos extend their series record against Fullerton to 52-0.

Middle blockers Waldowski and junior Brett Quirarte were the standouts of the night as each put-away a team-leading 14 kills and four blocks. Waldowski hit a season-high .700 after posting zero errors on 20 attempts while Quirarte also provided strong hitting with three errors on 26 attempts for a percentage of .423.

There were several ties early in game one and with the score even at 10-10 the Gauchos distanced themselves by two with a kill from Quirarte and a ball handling error by the Titans. UCSB held the lead the rest of the frame as they outhit the Titans .302 to .167 and took the eventual 30-25 win.

With the score tied at 5-5 early in the second game, the Gauchos went on a 3-0 run to gain the lead. UCSB had a 15-9 advantage when Waldowski delivered three-straight service aces to further distance the Gauchos. Quirarte sealed game two at 30-20 for UCSB with a kill.

The Titans came out of the locker rooms ready to play as they jumped ahead early and earned a 20-10 lead in game three. With the score at 21-13, the Gauchos chipped away at the deficit with a 9-1 run highlighted by three service aces by Brandt. With the score tied at 22-22, the teams traded several points before the Gauchos captured the game with a three-point run topped off by Waldowski's fifth ace of the night and a kill from Jamie Garbisch. The final score of game three was 30-27.

UCSB will continue action in the Thunderdome Saturday evening when they host Big West foe UC Riverside at 7 p.m. The Highlanders are currently 2-14 overall and 0-4 in conference play after falling to No. 20 Cal Poly Friday evening.